Refugee Employment
Opportunity &
Self-Sufficiency
Resettled refugees have a wide spectrum of work experiences and skill sets. Some people have spent years in refugee camps where it was illegal for them to work; others were doctors or engineers in their home countries. Our employment team works hard to help each of our clients reach their employment goals, whether that means a job that can take care of their families or a job in their preferred career field.
Our Employments Specialists work with former refugees for up to five years after they arrive in the U.S. to support their career goals and family's financial well-being.
Partner with CWS
Reach out to Employment Programs Manager Jun Park if you would like to learn more about how we help highly-skilled refugees or if you would like to hire a newly arrived refugee at your business.
JP
I wish to express my sincere appreciation for CWS and the refugee program. (Our new hires via CWS are) wonderful additions to our team and I am grateful for your service. Thank you again.
Employment Services
Our free services for refugee employees and employers include:
- Training assistance
- Orientation to American work culture and expectations
- Assistance with new hire paperwork and employment documentation
- Interpretation for the initial training period
- Interpretation for other specific support, as needed
Upward Mobility & CARE
Every year, CWS welcomes refugees who were doctors, nurses, teachers, engineers, and skilled professionals to North Carolina. They face steep barriers to getting back into former career fields, and it takes time, money, and bandwidth. For several years, we have served these refugees through the TAP-F program: providing navigation support to take advantage of re-credentialing, licensing, and vocational training programs.
In 2021 we launched our newest program: Communities Acting for Refugee Empowerment (CARE). The CARE pilot program helps more established refugees secure meaningful work that pays a living wage through providing financial assistance, navigation support, and community mentorship.
CWS Durham Blog: Reducing Refugee Brain Waste
Learn
Refugees make invaluable contributions to the Triangle's growing economy as workers, consumers, and entrepreneurs. We have seen first-hand the positive economic impact that refugees have on our community, and the research backs us up: a report from New American Economy shows that refugees paid almost $21 billion in taxes in 2015 and earned more than $77 billion in household income!
Maricarmen
Maricarmen was a dentist in Venezuela. Read her story to learn the challenges refugees face in getting back into their former career fields.
The Economic Impact of Refugees in America
Check out a 2017 report from New American Economy that details the impact that former refugees had on the United States' economy.
Refugees Can Contribute More
Refugees arrive ready to contribute and quickly become valuable employees. CWS explores barriers to refugee employment and how they can be overcome.
